editorNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94David Greene is host of NPR's Morning Edition , as well as NPR's morning news podcast Up First , with Steve Inskeep and Rachel Martin. For two years prior to taking on his current role in 2012, Greene was an NPR foreign correspondent based in Moscow covering the region from Ukraine and the Baltics, east to Siberia. During that time he brought listeners stories as wide ranging as Chernobyl 25 years later and Beatles-singing Russian Babushkas. He spent a month in Libya reporting riveting stories in the most difficult of circumstances as NATO bombs fell on Tripoli. He was honored with the 2011 Daniel Schorr Journalism Prize from WBUR and Boston University for that coverage of the Arab Spring. Greene's voice became familiar to NPR listeners from his four years covering the White House. To report on former President George W. Bush's second term, Greene spent hours in NPR's spacious booth in the basement of the West Wing (it's about the size of your average broom closet). He also spent timeNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94David GreeneWed, 13 Dec 2017 04:50:09 +0000David Greenehttp://wvtf.org
David GreeneCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: Republican tax overhaul versions have passed in the Senate and House with almost unanimous Republican support - I say almost. In the House, 13 Republicans voted no. Twelve of them were from New Jersey, California or New York, and that is not a coincidence. Those states all have high tax rates. Under the current system, residents can deduct what they pay in state and local taxes. But the new tax bills cap those deductions, and that could leave many residents in those states paying more. Here's New York Governor Andrew Cuomo talking about the House bill. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) ANDREW CUOMO: As far as I'm concerned, this is President Trump saying drop dead to New Yorkers. GREENE: All right. Congressman Dan Donovan is a Republican who represents Staten Island. He voted against the House bill, and he joins us on the line. Congressman, good morning. DAN DONOVAN: It's good to be with you again. Thank you so much for havingIssues Remain On Tax Bill For Some House Republicans http://wvtf.org/post/issues-remain-tax-bill-some-house-republicans
93346 as http://wvtf.orgTue, 05 Dec 2017 12:02:00 +0000Issues Remain On Tax Bill For Some House Republicans David GreeneCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: And it seems like the Republican National Committee has had some trouble figuring out exactly what to do with Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore. They were supporting him before they weren't. RACHEL MARTIN, HOST: Right. So - confused yet? GREENE: Yeah, yeah. MARTIN: Last month, the RNC announced that it was severing ties with Moore after those allegations of sexual assault. Now an RNC official confirms to NPR that it is, in fact, restoring its financial support for Moore. So this decision came just hours after President Trump endorsed Roy Moore yesterday. The president also came to Moore's defense last month in the wake of those allegations, including one from a woman who claims that Moore sexually assaulted her when she was 14. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: He totally denies it. He says it didn't happen. And, you know, you have to listen to him also. MARTIN: And of course, David, all this isNews Brief: The RNC Supports Roy Moore (Again) And Trump's Travel Ban Is A Gohttp://wvtf.org/post/news-brief-rnc-supports-roy-moore-again-and-trumps-travel-ban-go
93339 as http://wvtf.orgTue, 05 Dec 2017 10:17:00 +0000News Brief: The RNC Supports Roy Moore (Again) And Trump's Travel Ban Is A GoDavid GreeneCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: The music mogul Russell Simmons is stepping down from leadership of his companies after being accused of a sexual attack. Simmons turned a thriving career as a music producer into a corporate empire. And joining us now is NPR arts correspondent Elizabeth Blair. Hi, Elizabeth. ELIZABETH BLAIR, BYLINE: Hi, David. GREENE: And I guess you and I should warn listeners that what we're about to talk about could involve some disturbing language. BLAIR: That's correct. GREENE: So listeners are now warned. I guess, could you start, for people who don't know, just reminding us who Russell Simmons is? BLAIR: Some people would call Russell Simmons the king of hip hop. I mean, he founded Def Jam Recordings. He was very involved with Run DMC. He started a fashion label, comedy. He's - when it comes to urban culture, he's way up there. GREENE: A force in the entertainment industry, to say the least. OK, so let's get to this news. Who is makingRussell Simmons Steps Down From Businesses Amid Sexual Attack Allegationshttp://wvtf.org/post/def-jams-russell-simmons-steps-down-amid-sexual-attack-allegations
93050 as http://wvtf.orgThu, 30 Nov 2017 17:53:00 +0000Russell Simmons Steps Down From Businesses Amid Sexual Attack AllegationsDavid GreeneCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is now calling for Congressman John Conyers to resign. She spoke about this just a few moments ago. Let's listen. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) NANCY PELOSI: The allegations against Congressman Conyers, as we have learned more since Sunday, are serious, disappointing and very credible. It's very sad. The brave women who came forward are owed justice. I pray for Congressman Conyers and his family and wish them well. However, Congressman Conyers should resign. GREENE: Let's talk about this now with NPR's Mara Liasson, who's in our studios in Washington. Hi, Mara. MARA LIASSON, BYLINE: Hi, David. GREENE: Take us back to the beginning a bit, if you can, with the Conyers story. And what is he accused of, and what has been his situation up until this point? LIASSON: Well, he's accused of sexual harassment with several of his aides. They've been coming forward. One of them is still anonymous. ShePelosi Calls For Conyers To Step Downhttp://wvtf.org/post/pelosi-calls-conyers-step-down
93051 as http://wvtf.orgThu, 30 Nov 2017 17:53:00 +0000Pelosi Calls For Conyers To Step DownDavid GreeneIn 2003, an obscure, independent film called The Room opened in Los Angeles movie theaters. It was intended to be a serious melodrama about friendship, love and betrayal; instead, it was shockingly bad. The baffling storyline, the uncomfortably long romantic scenes and the acting made the film a hilarious, cinematic disaster. Tommy Wiseau directed and starred in the film. With his hulking physique, long mane of jet black hair and indistinguishable accent, he inadvertently sparked a cult phenomenon. Over the years, people have flocked to midnight screenings; there have been roaring, sold-out crowds. So when comedy duo James Franco and Seth Rogen heard about it, they knew they had to make a movie about the movie. Rogen says, "Very few things are funnier than a bunch of people really trying hard and treating something with very high stakes that is ultimately incredibly dumb." In addition to directing the film, Franco also plays Wiseau — and he stayed in character the entire time they wereIn 'Disaster Artist,' James Franco And Seth Rogen Honor A Hilariously Bad Cult Hithttp://wvtf.org/post/james-franco-and-seth-rogen-remake-cinematic-disaster
92847 as http://wvtf.orgTue, 28 Nov 2017 10:05:00 +0000In 'Disaster Artist,' James Franco And Seth Rogen Honor A Hilariously Bad Cult HitDavid GreeneCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit RACHEL MARTIN, HOST: President Trump's agenda today seems familiar - head to the Hill, meet lawmakers, try to gin up more support for a tax overhaul. But the stakes seem to be getting higher day by day. DAVID GREENE, HOST: Yeah, that's because the clock - it's a-ticking (ph). The president wants this tax bill passed by Christmas. The party has seen legislative defeats, of course. Yesterday, though, President Trump sounded upbeat about the GOP and this bill's chances. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We've had great - great spirit. And I will tell you, the Republican senators were up. If we win, we'll get some Democratic senators joining us. GREENE: Now, Trump did not, however, mention the most recent Congressional Budget Office analysis. That report finds most people who make less than six figures will actually see their taxes go up under this bill. MARTIN: All right, joining us now - NPR White House correspondent TamaraMorning News Brief: Tax Overhaul Plan, Pope Francis In Myanmarhttp://wvtf.org/post/morning-news-brief-tax-overhaul-plan-pope-francis-myanmar
92851 as http://wvtf.orgTue, 28 Nov 2017 10:05:00 +0000Morning News Brief: Tax Overhaul Plan, Pope Francis In MyanmarDavid GreeneCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: Congressman John Conyers is back to work this week. But he is no longer serving in one key role - at least that's the case for now. RACHEL MARTIN, HOST: Yeah, the Michigan Democrat announced yesterday that he is going to step down from his ranking leadership of the House Judiciary Committee, this as another House committee investigates Conyers over sexual harassment claims. John Conyers denies these allegations again. His office has, however, acknowledged that it did pay a settlement to a former staffer back in 2015. That staffer said she lost her job after she accused Conyers of harassment. On NBC's "Meet The Press" yesterday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was on, and she refused to criticize Congressman Conyers. (SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "MEET THE PRESS") NANCY PELOSI: John Conyers is an icon in our country. He's done a great deal to protect women. MARTIN: So the question - how might these developments come into play beforeMorning News Briefhttp://wvtf.org/post/morning-news-brief-12
92778 as http://wvtf.orgMon, 27 Nov 2017 10:22:00 +0000Morning News BriefDavid GreeneCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: The national conversation about sexual misconduct is reaching a fever pitch here in Washington, D.C., particularly on Capitol Hill. RACHEL MARTIN, HOST: Right. Several organizations, including NPR, have fired or suspended male executives accused of sexual harassment. Now there are these allegations against a sitting senator. We're talking about Minnesota Democrat Al Franken. Leeann Tweeden, who is a Los Angeles radio broadcaster, says that the Minnesota lawmaker forcibly kissed her and groped her back in 2006. Here she is describing this on CNN. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) LEEANN TWEEDEN: He mashed his face against - I mean, it happened so fast. And he just mashed his lips against my face, and he stuck his tongue in my mouth so fast. MARTIN: Senator Franken has issued an apology, which Tweeden has accepted. GREENE: All right, we have NPR's Susan Davis here in the studio this morning. Hi, Sue. SUSAN DAVIS, BYLINE: GoodNews Brief: Accusations Against Franken, House Tax Overhaul Winhttp://wvtf.org/post/news-brief-accusations-against-franken-house-tax-overhaul-win
92189 as http://wvtf.orgFri, 17 Nov 2017 12:04:00 +0000News Brief: Accusations Against Franken, House Tax Overhaul WinDavid GreeneCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: Let's turn now to the Russia investigation. All eyes today are on a federal court in Washington, D.C. That is where Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his team of prosecutors have been presenting evidence to a grand jury, and we could be on the brink of a major development in this investigation. NPR's Ryan Lucas has been following this, and he's in our studios. Hey, Ryan. RYAN LUCAS, BYLINE: Good morning. GREENE: So what could, in theory, happen today? LUCAS: Well, Special Counsel Robert Mueller of course is the man leading the investigation into Russia's interference in last year's election. GREENE: Right. LUCAS: A big part of his probe is the question of coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia, so did folks within Trump's orbit work with Russians to try to win the 2016 presidential race? Now, Mueller has been using a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., since August. And on Friday night, CNN reported that theThe Latest In The Russia Inquiry: Are Indictments Imminent?http://wvtf.org/post/latest-russia-inquiry-are-indictments-imminent
90878 as http://wvtf.orgMon, 30 Oct 2017 11:04:00 +0000The Latest In The Russia Inquiry: Are Indictments Imminent?David GreeneCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: I just got back from Shelbyville, Tenn. It's a town of 20,000 people not far from Nashville. And on Saturday, it was the site of a White Lives Matter rally. White nationalists and neo-Nazis put it together. This isn't new. There have been quite a few of these events lately. There was the deadly standoff in Charlottesville and the confrontations in Gainesville, Fla., and Berkeley, Calif. And we wanted to explore where these powerful emotions are coming from, so we covered this rally a little differently. We spent time with two people in Shelbyville Saturday as all this played out. Let me take you to two scenes less than a mile apart. One was a white, brick building with a sign on the window - fresh tortillas here. MIGUEL GONZALEZ: Would you like to come into the store? GREENE: Yeah, thank you very much. This is Gonzalez Tortilleria. The owner, Miguel Gonzalez, brought us into the room where it all happens. Three women wereIn Shelbyville, Tenn., 'Proud To Be White' And 'Hate Is Not The Solution'http://wvtf.org/post/shelbyville-tenn-proud-be-white-and-hate-not-solution
90863 as http://wvtf.orgMon, 30 Oct 2017 08:52:00 +0000In Shelbyville, Tenn., 'Proud To Be White' And 'Hate Is Not The Solution'David GreeneJason Reynolds' new novel Long Way Down is focused on a moment of decision. It happens in an elevator — teenaged Will is on his way to take revenge for the murder of his brother, but his plan is interrupted by a few visitors on the way down to the ground floor. "Will is growing up in a community where there are certain rules," Reynolds says. "There's a code of conduct, and what those rules are is number one, no crying, number two, no snitching, and number three, always seek revenge." Those rules ring true to Reynold's own experience: At 19, one of his best friends was murdered, and he considered revenge himself. "I'm grateful that we didn't do the thing that we thought we were going to do," Reynolds says. "When you start to sort of work through those things and you come back to reality ... you're, like, 'Whoa, my entire life could have changed.' " Interview Highlights On the ghosts who visit Will What I wanted to do in telling a tale about gun violence is not create one-dimensionalIn 'Long Way Down,' The Ghosts Of Gun Violence Chill A Plan For Revengehttp://wvtf.org/post/long-way-down-ghosts-gun-violence-chill-plan-revenge
90865 as http://wvtf.orgMon, 30 Oct 2017 08:52:00 +0000In 'Long Way Down,' The Ghosts Of Gun Violence Chill A Plan For RevengeDavid GreeneCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: We are focused on Las Vegas this morning where more than 50 people are dead, according to authorities, after a mass shooting at a concert on the Vegas Strip. The Clark County Sheriff's Office says the suspected gunman, 64-year-old Nevada resident Stephen Paddock, fired from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. They believe he acted alone and that he may have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after firing on the crowd. One of the people at this country music concert was Mackenzie Jakel (ph). MACKENZIE JAKEL: And I kind of remember my friend's mom got hit with something on her hand, as she was like, ow, like, what was that? And I remember feeling kind of like splatter on my face, and I was like, what is that? And we hear more gunfire. And I look down, and someone's on the ground next to us who's been shot. And that's when we realized that it was not fireworks, and it was, you know, an active shooter. AndSecurity Experts Continue To Try To 'Make Soft Targets Less Soft'http://wvtf.org/post/security-experts-continue-try-make-soft-targets-less-soft
89003 as http://wvtf.orgMon, 02 Oct 2017 16:41:00 +0000Security Experts Continue To Try To 'Make Soft Targets Less Soft'David GreeneCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: I want to bring in NPR's Leila Fadel, who is on the line from Las Vegas this morning. She has been following all the developments. And, Leila, what is the latest in terms of who carried this out and what the authorities know at this point? LEILA FADEL, BYLINE: Well, at this point, we know that it is a 64-year-old man who was found dead in a hotel room in the Mandalay Bay. Stephen Paddock - he's a man who had no criminal history, had no reason for law enforcement to look at him. He lived in Mesquite, Nev. So it's really unclear why he did this. At this point, they also believe that he acted on his own. They found inside his hotel room upwards of 10 rifles, and they're currently searching his home trying to find out what motivated him but also look for other types of weaponry there. GREENE: And what - what are you reflecting when you look at this community this morning as you've been spending this morning just talking to peoplePolice Look For Clues In Las Vegas Shootinghttp://wvtf.org/post/police-look-clues-las-vegas-shooting
89005 as http://wvtf.orgMon, 02 Oct 2017 16:41:00 +0000Police Look For Clues In Las Vegas ShootingDavid GreeneCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: We're following a political story in the South. This could be a political victory or a political defeat for the Trump administration. MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST: Yeah, we are talking Alabama, where voters today are choosing the Republican candidate in a runoff election for that state's open Senate seat. President Trump turned out to campaign for the establishment candidate, Luther Strange, and Vice President Mike Pence also rallied for Strange. But the team who got Trump elected isn't so keen on him. Just yesterday, the president's former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, made a rare appearance to support the other guy, Roy Moore, and polling suggests Moore may win. What would that mean? What a loss for Strange look like on the heels of yesterday's defeat on health care? GREENE: All right, let's ask NPR's Geoff Bennett, who's been following this. And he's in the studio. Hey, there, Geoff. GEOFF BENNETT, BYLINE: Good morning. GREENE:News Brief: Ala. GOP Senate Runoff, Facebook's Role In 2016 Electionhttp://wvtf.org/post/news-brief-ala-gop-senate-runoff-facebooks-role-2016-election
88581 as http://wvtf.orgTue, 26 Sep 2017 09:29:00 +0000News Brief: Ala. GOP Senate Runoff, Facebook's Role In 2016 ElectionDavid GreeneCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: Well, Republicans are giving it another shot. They have a new proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. It could be voted on in the Senate as early as next week. This bill has become known as Graham CASSIDY. It comes from Senators Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana. What would it do? Well, let's ask NPR health policy reporter Alison Kodjak. Alison, good morning. ALISON KODJAK, BYLINE: Good morning, David. GREENE: So you've been reporting on this bill and saying it has a potential to be radical. KODJAK: Yeah. It's probably making the biggest changes of any other proposal so far to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The exchanges where people buy insurance disappear. The individual mandate that requires people to buy insurance disappears. And it gets rid of all the subsidies that help people buy insurance. And it gets rid of the expansion of Medicaid. And what it does it takesWith New Healthcare Bill, Senate GOP Give 'Repeal And Replace' Another Shothttp://wvtf.org/post/new-healthcare-bill-senate-gop-give-repeal-and-replace-another-shot
88288 as http://wvtf.orgThu, 21 Sep 2017 14:18:00 +0000With New Healthcare Bill, Senate GOP Give 'Repeal And Replace' Another ShotDavid GreeneCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: President Trump has just finished addressing world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly. In an address to that international body, the president said there is no substitute for sovereign, independent nations. He also had some harsh words, some very harsh words for North Korea. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: The United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea. Rocket Man is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime. GREENE: Let's bring in NPR White House correspondent Tamara Keith now. And, Tam, Rocket Man. I guess sometimes the president tests language out in a tweet and then we hear it days later in a speech. TAMARA KEITH, BYLINE: Yeah. You're referring to a tweet, a statement on Twitter that he put out over the weekend. Now it shows up here in his speech to the U.N.Trump Addresses U.N. General Assembly With Tough Talk On Koreahttp://wvtf.org/post/trump-addresses-un-general-assembly-tough-talk-korea
88129 as http://wvtf.orgTue, 19 Sep 2017 15:01:00 +0000Trump Addresses U.N. General Assembly With Tough Talk On KoreaDavid GreeneCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: Just a few minutes ago, President Trump took the stage at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. It was his debut at the U.N. Addressing world leaders, Trump used the words America first. And a lot of world leaders have been waiting to see what he meant by that. He also had some tough talk for North Korea. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: No nation on earth has an interest in seeing this band of criminals arm itself with nuclear weapons and missiles. The United States has great strength and patience. But if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea. GREENE: All right, NPR's Scott Horsley is here to talk us through this speech. And, Scott, totally destroy North Korea. He calls the leader of North Korea rocket man. I mean, the president does not seem to be holding back, at least rhetorically. SCOTT HORSLEY, BYLINE: That's right. HePresident Trump: 'Put Your Countries First'http://wvtf.org/post/president-trump-put-your-countries-first
88128 as http://wvtf.orgTue, 19 Sep 2017 14:31:00 +0000President Trump: 'Put Your Countries First'David GreeneCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: And I'm David Greene reporting from Houston, Texas. We're down here reporting on the impact of tropical storm Harvey, which again made landfall, this time in Louisiana, after dropping record amounts of rain here around Houston. And, Rachel, there was this really strange feeling last night. The rain finally stopped in the evening. It was incredible. RACHEL MARTIN, HOST: Wow. That is a relief, I imagine, but it doesn't mean a whole lot at this point. GREENE: And that's the strange feeling. I mean, you have to keep that in perspective. There were even a few streaks of sunlight, but this catastrophe is still unfolding in the city. As of yesterday, I mean, people were still being rescued. And we're talking about five days after the storm arrived in Texas. We went to Cypress Creek. It's this neighborhood north of Houston that is completely submerged. Bill Dan (ph) and his cousin, Matthew Hernandez (ph), have a fishing boat. They wereRiding With Rescuers In Houstonhttp://wvtf.org/post/riding-rescuers-houston
86894 as http://wvtf.orgWed, 30 Aug 2017 09:02:00 +0000Riding With Rescuers In HoustonDavid GreeneCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: The rain from Tropical Storm Harvey has just not let up here at all. FEMA has now activated over 8,000 federal workers to help with rescue and relief efforts here. They join the 12,000 members of the Texas National Guard who were pressed into action by the governor yesterday. And many people here are facing this difficult choice about where to go. Houston's downtown convention center is housing at least 2,500 people right now, and more are arriving every hour. The Red Cross has opened shelters. And we're at a hotel in north Houston, where people trying to flee to Dallas got caught on flooded roads. They pulled over. They - the lucky ones were able to pay for a room, and they're now hoping that the waters in the parking lot here don't rise too much more. RACHEL MARTIN, HOST: Huh. So David, some people have made it out. Thousands are taking refuge in San Antonio and Dallas and Austin, driving hundreds of miles on flooded highwaysFlooding Forces Thousands Of People From Their Houston-Area Homes http://wvtf.org/post/flooding-forces-thousands-people-their-houston-areas-homes
86802 as http://wvtf.orgTue, 29 Aug 2017 09:56:00 +0000Flooding Forces Thousands Of People From Their Houston-Area Homes David GreeneA lot of people already know the story of Friday Night Lights , in which a West Texas high school fights for the state football title. It started as a nonfiction book , then it became a movie (with Billy Bob Thornton as the coach) and finally a TV series. In the film, Thornton tells his team that to win state, they'll have to beat "a team of monsters" from Carter High School in Dallas (which they fail to do). Carter High School is really an afterthought in Friday Night Lights -- the evil, thug-like team that stole a championship. But if you look at the real team's journey to the 1988 state title, you'll find a story about race and the pressures young athletes face — a story Adam Hootnick explores in his documentary What Carter Lost . "The number of scholarships they got, the number of guys who went on to play some form of professional football — by every measure this was one of the greats," Hootnick says of the school's reputation. Carter served a black, middle-class neighborhood in'What Carter Lost' Tells The True Story Of 'Friday Night Lights' Football Rivalshttp://wvtf.org/post/what-carter-lost-tells-true-story-friday-night-lights-football-rivals
86404 as http://wvtf.orgWed, 23 Aug 2017 09:00:00 +0000'What Carter Lost' Tells The True Story Of 'Friday Night Lights' Football Rivals